Quadruple gold success for GSF Athlete Logan Murray

Run by Activity Alliance and held in Coventry, the event welcomed 140 young disabled athletes from across the country who were part of the National Junior Athletic Championships. Logan excelled – winning gold medals in Under 16 shot, discus and long jump for the second consecutive year and his first gold in javelin.

He also recorded personal best distances in all four competitions.

Logan is one of 84 Cornwall-based athletes to have been awarded support from the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) this year and his mother, Michelle, says the help it provides is invaluable.

“Travelling and accommodation costs are so expensive and, with that and gym membership, we just couldn’t afford it without the award.

“I’m so very proud of Logan. He has autism and, when he was three years old, an occupational therapist said he wouldn't be able to scooter, ride a bike or swim or do anything involving balance and/or co-ordination. Contrary to that prediction, he managed to achieve his 200m swimming badge by the age of five.

“Logan idolises his older brother Isaac who does cross country, so Logan decided to try track and field sport.

“That was only last year, and he’s already achieved so much. Becoming an athlete has opened up his world.”

More than half the athletes GLL supports in Cornwall are under 21, just under a quarter are under 16 and 13% are disabled. Most don’t receive any other central funding.

“Many congratulations to Logan on his remarkable success,” said James Curry, GLL’s Head of Service in Cornwall. “GLL’s Sports Foundation celebrates its fifteenth anniversary this year and thousands of athletes across the UK have benefited from the support it provides during that time.

“As a staff-owned, not-for-profit social enterprise, GLL aims to make a difference in local communities.

“When we hear stories like Logan’s, it makes everyone’s efforts worthwhile.”